Genital Mycoplasmas and genital disorders among women of childbearing age in Franceville, South-Est Gabon

Author(s): Kelly Hornelia Mbombe Moghoa, Richard Onanga, Romeo Wenceslas Lendamba, Michelle Bignoumba, Jean Ulrich Muandze-Nzambe, Yann Mouanga-Ndzime, Saidou Mahmoudou, Romuald Be Mba, Klara Pecmann, Amahani Gafou, Roland Fabrice Kassa Kassa, Cyrille Bisseye

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of Ureaplasma spp. and Mycoplasma hominis and their association with genital disorders (bacterial vaginosis, aerobic vaginitis, and vulvovaginal candidiasis).

Methods: The IST2 kit was used to identify genital mycoplasmas. The Nugent score and microscopic observation of neutrophils and bacteria were employed to diagnose bacterial vaginosis and aerobic vaginitis. Statistical analysis was performed using the chi-square or Fisher's exact test.

Results: The prevalence of M. hominis and Ureaplasma spp. was estimated at 2% and 41%, respectively, with a Ureaplasma spp./M. hominis co-infection rate of 32%. The prevalence of bacterial vaginosis, vulvovaginal candidiasis, and aerobic vaginitis was found to be 68%, 35%, and 54%, respectively. Group B Streptococcus was not associated with M. hominis (P=0.006, OR=0.41, 95% CI=0.22–0.77) or Ureaplasma spp./M. hominis (P=0.002, OR=0.30, 95% CI=0.14–0.63).

Conclusion: This study reports a high prevalence of genital mycoplasmas. Although vulvovaginal candidiasis, aerobic vaginitis, and bacterial vaginosis were frequently encountered, their association with genital mycoplasmas was not statistically significant.